Chinese education departments should move to improve the quality of graduate education, minister of Education Chen Zhili told participants at a national graduate education working conference held in Beijing recently.

At the highest level of China's educational structure, graduate education shoulders the responsibility of nurturing high-quality talent for China's modernization drive, Chen said.

The conference, which ended last over the weekend, was the first of its kind held by the Ministry of Education (MOE). During the event, experts discussed reform of the graduate enrollment system and tuition fees, and educational modes for graduate students.

"All these efforts aim to make graduate education diversified, with emphasis on fostering individuality, which will help stimulate students' creativity," said Zhou Yuanqing, vice-minister

of education.

Zhou said that China's higher education reform will be completed within three years. After that, most central government organizations will no longer run universities.